Tiny art prevails at the latest Giant Robot show. Holiday boat parades ship off around SoCal. The Troubies present their annual Christmas mashup, this one featuring Carole King. Plus, a totally tuba-lar concert, a festival of holiday ales, Agnès Varda's final film, a Hecho in LA holiday market and the last CicLAvia of the year.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
Puccini's "La bohème" AKA "The Hipsters"
Highland Park Ebell Club -- 131 S. Ave. 57, Highland Park
Pacific Opera Project reprises its holiday tradition with its modern take on Puccini's classic for five nights (Dec. 6, 7, 11, 13 and 14). Set in a modern L.A. (as opposed to 1830s Paris) during a cold SoCal winter, the city's housing crisis comes to life as a band of hipsters deal with life's challenges. The opera is sung in Italian with cheeky English subtitles.
COST: Tickets start at $15; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11
Varda by Agnès
Aero Theatre -- 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
In her final film, French documentarian Agnès Varda, who died earlier this year at age 90, takes a playful look at her career. This film is a "free-associative tour through her six-decade artistic journey, shedding new light on her films, photography and recent installation works."\
COST: Tickets start at $13-15; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
Dana Point Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
Dana Point Harbor Drive -- Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point
For the next two Fridays and Saturdays (Dec. 6-7, 13-14), the harbor hosts Tiki Holidays and the 45th annual parade of lights (which takes place rain or shine). The family activities start at 4:30 p.m. Free trolley rides take place between 3:30 and 10:30 p.m. with drop off and pick up along Dana Point Harbor Drive. The parade begins at 7:30 p.m.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
Ski Dazzle
Kentia/South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center -- 1201 S. Figueroa St., downtown L.A.
If you like playing outdoors in the winter, head to North America's largest consumer ski and snowboard show. Check out the booths for gear, services, retailers and ski resorts. Need a break from shopping? Snack on tacos and sip beer in the new Ski Dazzle Beer Garden.
COST: $22 - $50 admission for adults (includes free lift ticket offer), free for children 12 and younger (does not include lift ticket); MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25
Grand Park's Winter Glow
Grand Park -- 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A.
The immersive light display returns for its second year, expanding across Grand Ave. to include the Music Center Plaza. Guests can view installations, some of which areinteractive, created by L.A.-based artists including Cassandra Carillo, Carlos G. Rodas and Aphidoidea. On Saturday, from 1 to 3 p.m., Grand Park hosts a free lantern-making workshop, where community members can learn about and create their own parol (a star-shaped Filipino lantern) to take home with them.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6; 7 - 9 P.M.
Happy Hour at Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch Inc. -- 15800 Roscoe Blvd., Van Nuys
The brewery opens its doors for a 21+ night of comedy and music that doubles as a benefit for the Valley Relics Museum. Check out the historic brewery while sampling limited-edition and seasonal brews. Cupid's Hot Dogs serves up their famous dogs, including vegan offerings. Ticket prices include four drinks but not food. Additional drinks are not available for purchase during the event.
COST: $35; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7; 7:30 - 9:30 P.M.
La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels -- 555 W. Temple St., downtown L.A.
The city's 17th annual Christmas pageant features more than 100 actors, singers and indigenous Aztec dancers as well as children and seniors from the community. The play follows the story of Juan Diego, a peasant to whom the Virgin Mary appeared on four occasions in the mountains of Tepeyac near Mexico City in 1531. The Latino Theater Company's site-specific production is adapted for the stage from the mid-16th century text The Nican Mopohua and performed in Spanish with English supertitles.
COST: FREE - $45 (for reserved seating); MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6; 7:30 - 9:30 P.M.
Spread Love, Not Hate Concert
The Fonda Theatre -- 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Hosted by actor Terry Crews, this concert benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood and features headlining performances by Macy Gray and Rapsody. The event is 21+.
COST: Tickets start at $20; MORE INFO
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6; 8 - 10 P.M.
Bill Morrison's Dawson City: Frozen Time LIVE!
The Theatre at Ace Hotel -- 929 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.
CAP UCLA presents Morrison's film, which combines excerpts from 533 silent film reels, dating from the 1910s and 20s. These reels were found in 1978, buried in a sub-arctic swimming pool, deep in the Yukon permafrost. With a score by Alex Somers, performed by L.A.'s contemporary ensemble wild Up and Tonality's women's choir, the work combines excerpts from the found collection with historical footage, photos and original interviews to explore the history of Dawson City, a Canadian Gold Rush town.
COST: Tickets start at $28; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22
A Christmas Carole King
El Portal Theater -- 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood
Matt Walker directs The Troubies' annual Christmas production. The fun show is a mashup of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and the music of Carole King.
COST: $50 - $75; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
Echo Park Craft Fair
Mack Sennett Studios - 1215 Bates Ave., Silver Lake
Founded nearly a decade ago as a backyard pop-up, this craft fair features more than 30 vendors peddling everything from kombucha, honey and sea salt to has, candles and kid clothes. There's a preview party on Saturday night at the Silver Lake JCC to benefit Inner City Arts.
COST: $15 - $35; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
The Many Actual Moods of Christmas: Holidays for the Slightly Harried
Newport Beach and Huntington Beach
The Orange County Women's Chorus takes an honest and humorous musical look at the "most wonderful time of the year." The holidays aren't all sugarplum fairies and holiday magic. Hear works by Cécile Chaminade, Joan Szymko, Eleanor Daley and Daniel Pinkham. The concerts will take place at Newport Harbor Lutheran Church, 798 Dover Dr., in Newport Beach on Saturday at 7 p.m. and at St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church, 18631 Chapel Lane, Huntington Beach on Sunday at 3 p.m. A reception follows each performance.
COST: $15 - $30; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15
Post It show
GR2 Art Gallery -- 2062 Sawtelle Blvd., Sawtelle
One of the most fun art shows of the year returns as 300+ artists create more than 3,000 pieces of art on Post-it notes. Each work of art is $25. The mayhem begins on Saturday at 2 p.m. when the doors open to buyers (expect a line). If you just want to look at the artwork then show up for the preview from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Another drop of Post-it art happens on Saturday, Dec. 14.
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
Lamplight Holiday Celebration
Heritage Square Museum, 3800 Homer St., Montecito Heights
Follow characters through a Victorian village and watch a fictionalized re-telling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Participants can interact in scenes by playing parlor games, singing Christmas carols and dancing at a Victorian Christmas party. The ticket prices includes a reception with libations and appetizers. Tours begin at 4 p.m. with a new tour starting every 20 minutes until 8 p.m. The program is not suitable for children ages 6 and younger. This is an evening tour so guests should be aware of dimly lit conditions and uneven walking surfaces. Advanced reservations required.
COST: $45 for adults, $15 for children; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7; 12 - 4 P.M.
8th Annual Brew Ho Ho Holiday Ale Festival
The Phoenix Club -- 1340 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim
Beer enthusiast can taste 100+ rare and limited-release holiday beers from craft breweries. The event also features live music, food trucks, shopping and pictures with Santa. Participating breweries include Societe Brewing Co, Brouwerij West, Docent Brewing, Green Check Beer Co, The Bruery, Firestone Walker Brewing Co, Alpine Beer Co, Beachwood Brewing, Riip Beer Co and Wild Barrel Brewing Co. The event is a 21+, rain or shine event. Food sold separately.
COST: $55 - $65, $25 for designated drivers; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7; 6 - 9 P.M.
57th L.A. Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade
S.S. Lane Victory Merchant Marine Museum and Memorial -- Berth 49, San Pedro
The juried parade starts in the port's East Basin with several viewing stations available along the parade route including the San Pedro waterfront, Ports O' Call, Warehouse #1, Cabrillo Marina, Cabrillo Way and Holiday Harbor Marinas. (For even more festivities during the parade, there's a special viewing party will take place aboard the S.S. Lane Victory for an extra fee.)
COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7; 7 - 10 P.M.
GCAC Artwalk and Book Sale
Grand Central Art Center -- 125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana
First Saturday means a night of art, performance and -- this month -- a book/catalog sale of works produced through past Artwalk exhibitions. The publications include such artists as Fred Tomaselli, Jennifer Rubell, Sandow Birk, Shannon Hayes Faseler, Einar and Jamex de la Torre. Softcovers cost $3 and hardcovers are $5. Also happening: a live performance by artist-in-residence Chris Kallmyer.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7; 12 - 10 P.M.
Griffith Park Parkline
Various locations in Griffith Park
Free shuttle service begins around the park every Saturday and Sunday. Hop on and off at locations including Travel Town, the Autry Museum, the L.A. Zoo, the Mt. Hollywood Sign, the Greek Theatre and the Griffith Observatory.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7; 5 - 8 P.M.
Parade of Lights
Long Beach Shoreline Marina -- 450 E. Shoreline Dr., Long Beach
Boats decked out in dazzling ights and Christmas decor parade around the marina and sail past the Pine Avenue Pier then across the bay and past the Queen Mary. The best views of the parade can be found in Shoreline Village, Rainbow Harbor and from the Queen Mary.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7; 8 - 10 P.M.
Indian Wedding
Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Cafe -- 2106 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake
If you've always wanted to attend an epic Indian wedding, snag a ticket to this immersive theatrical comedy show before it moves to Melbourne, Australia's famed Butterfly Club. Join siblings Pinky and Neal on Sangeet night (the biggest party night of all the Indian wedding events) as the duo presents a variety of comedy, dance and music acts to celebrate their brother's wedding.
COST: $15; MORE INFO
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8; 5 P.M. - 9 A.M.
The World's Big Sleep Out and Concert
Rose Bowl Stadium -- 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena
Charity On Top hosts a sleepover at the stadium as part of a global fundraising campaign to tackle the issue of homelessness. Look for live music performances by Ziggy Marley, Randy Jackson and his All-Star Band, Ellie Goulding and Sean Kingston. Seth Green closes the night with a bedtime story. Unless there is an extreme weather event, the event will go on rain or shine.
COST: FREE with RSVP; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
Lucques Cook Book Supper: Oaxaca by Bricia Lopez
Lucques -- 8474 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood
Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne host chef and author Bricia Lopez of Guelaguetza to celebrate the publication of her cookbook Oaxaca: Home Cooking from the Heart of Mexico. Her family's James Beard Award-winning restaurant that has been at the heart of L.A.'s Oaxacan community for more than 25 years. Lopez will be on hand to meet diners and sign books. The prix fixe meal price does not include the book or optional wine pairings.
COST: $105; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8; 3 - 5 P.M.
2019 Merry TubaChristmas Los Angeles
Forest Lawn -- 6300 Forest Lawn Dr., Hollywood Hills
Celebrate the holidays with a festive concert featuring 100 tuba and baritone players of all ages. Listen to Christmas carols and a few Hanukah songs. Guest artists include Jim Self, master tubist who provided the voice of the mothership in Close Encounters of the Third Kind; The Hollywood Tuba 12 ensemble; the Tubadours pro quartet and the USC Tuba Quartet. Tuba, baritone and euphonium players of all levels are invited to participate.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8; 9 A.M. - 3 P.M.
CicLAvia: The Valley
Canoga Park, Winnetka and Reseda
CicLAvia presents a new route through the San Fernando Valley, closing down Sherman Way to cars and opening it to non-motorized transportation (bikers, walkers, runners, skaters, scooters and non-motorized wheelchairs). The day-long event connects five miles of Canoga Park, Winnetka and Reseda. There are three major hubs along the way with activities for all ages.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8; 7:30 - 9:30 P.M.
Total Forking Shirt Show
Theatre at Ace Hotel -- 929 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.
Holy shirt. The cast of The Good Place take over the theater for an audience-suggested improv show. The night benefits The Improv Project in Detroit public schools. Expected performers include Kristen Bell, D'Arcy Carden, Marc Evan Jackson, Maribeth Monroe, Eugene Cordero and Brandon Scott Jones plus special guests.
COST: $39 - $59; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8; 7:30 - 9:30 P.M.
The 11th Festival of (In)Appropriation
The Spielberg Theatre at the Egyptian -- 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
L.A. Filmforum presents a night of short-form, remixed and found footage films. The works are "inappropriate" in that they are usually unrelated to the intentions of the original makers. The festival was founded in 2009 and curated by Jaimie Baron, Greg Cohen and Lauren Berliner, who will all be in attendance along with filmmakers Kristy Guevara-Flanagan and Kate Lain.
COST: $8 - $12; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8; 10 A.M. - 4 P.M.
Hecho in L.A. Holiday Market
ROW DTLA -- 777 Alameda St., downtown L.A.
The annual Smorgasburg Holiday Market continues with a special Hecho in L.A. theme at its monthly celebration of Latinx culture. Listen to Oaxacan brass band Banda Filarmónica Maqueos Music (12-2 p.m.) while you shop an array of vendors including Horchateria Rio Luna, La Sirena and Mercado el Catrin. Sip local craft beer specials in the beer garden while you nosh on food from Moo's Craft BBQ, Evil Cooks and Ponchos Tlayudas. Plus, renowned burger expert George Motz pops up in Los Angeles to smash some patties.
COST: Free entry; MORE INFO
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8; 1 P.M.
Nicole Rucker Baked Goods Pop-Up
Now Serving -- 727 N. Broadway, Chinatown
Chef Nicole Rucker, whose pies, donuts, breads and pastries grace several restaurants around Los Angeles, will visit cookbook store Now Serving with her baked goods. The pop-up starts at 1 p.m. and lasts as long as she has goodies to sell.
COST: Free entry; MORE INFO
